Sailing words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 30 words · Step 2 of 2

Right of way and rules

Mark-room

Room for a boat to sail to the mark, round or pass it on the required side, and leave it astern. When boats are overlapped as the first one reaches the zone, the outside boat must give the inside boat mark-room.

Zone

The area around a mark within three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it. Rule 18 about mark-room applies when at least one of two boats is in the zone.

Obstruction and room

An obstruction is something a boat cannot pass without a substantial change of course, or that can be passed safely on one side only. At one, the outside boat gives the inside boat room. A boat may hail "Room to tack" when close-hauled and approaching one.

Proper course

The course a boat would choose to finish the leg as soon as possible in the absence of the other boats. A boat has none before her starting signal. A boat that becomes overlapped to leeward from clear astern within two hull lengths may not sail above it.

Propulsion

A boat may use only the wind and water to change her speed. The crew may adjust sails and hull but may not move their bodies to propel her. Pumping, rocking, ooching and sculling are prohibited, with exceptions.

Starts and signals

Starting penalty flags

Flags that govern the last minute before the start. Under flag I a boat that is over must return around the end of the line. Under flag Z a boat in the triangle between the line ends and the first mark gets a 20% scoring penalty. Under flag U she is disqualified. Under a black flag she is disqualified even if the race is restarted.

Postponement and abandonment

A postponed race is delayed before its start and may be started or abandoned later. An abandoned race is void but may be resailed. After the start the race committee can shorten the course (flag S) or abandon it, for reasons such as foul weather or too little wind.

Notice of race and sailing instructions

The documents that set out how an event is run. The notice of race is given before entry, and the sailing instructions before a race begins. They are part of the rules and can set the course, penalties and scoring.

Penalties and scoring

Two-Turns and One-Turn Penalty

A boat that may have broken a Part 2 rule can take a Two-Turns Penalty, or a One-Turn Penalty for touching a mark, by getting clear of other boats and promptly making the turns, each including one tack and one gybe. If she caused injury or serious damage, her penalty is to retire.

Scoring penalty

If the sailing instructions specify it, a boat takes a scoring penalty by flying a yellow flag. Her score becomes worse by the stated points, or 20% of the score for Did Not Finish. The scores of other boats do not change.

Low Point System

The standard scoring system: first place scores 1 point, second 2, and so on. A boat's series score is the total of her race scores excluding her worst, and the boat with the lowest total wins, unless the sailing instructions change it.

The ruleHow do you win a sailing regatta?

Scoring abbreviations

Codes in results: DNS did not start, OCS on the course side at the start, DNF did not finish, DSQ disqualification, ZFP the 20% penalty, UFD and BFD the flag U and black flag disqualifications, SCP a scoring penalty, RDG redress given. A boat that did not finish, retired or was disqualified scores one more than the number of entries.

See also: Course, Scoring penalty, Redress

The ruleWhat do DNF, OCS, BFD and the other letters mean in sailing results?

Race and series ties

Boats tied at the finish share the points of their places. A tie in the series total is broken by listing each boat's scores from best to worst, and then by the last race and so on.

Redress

A remedy given by the protest committee when a boat's score was made worse through no fault of her own. It can be an adjusted score, often the average of her other races.

Fair sailing and exoneration

A boat must follow principles of sportsmanship and fair play, and a clear breach brings a disqualification that cannot be excluded from her series score. A boat forced to break a rule by another's breach is exonerated, and need not take a penalty.

Technique terms

Trim

Adjusting the sails to get the best possible shape and power from the available wind.

Heel

The tilting of a boat to one side, caused by wind pressure on the sails.

Hiking

Leaning body weight out over the side of a small boat to help balance against heeling.

Trapeze

A harness and wire system on some boats letting crew lean far outboard for extra stability at speed.

Pumping

Repeated fanning of a sail, by pulling it in and releasing it or by body movement. It is prohibited propulsion. Exceptions exist, such as pulling each sail in once for each wave or gust to start surfing or planing, and any number of times to start foiling.

Roll tack

A tack in which the crew roll the boat to help it turn. The rules allow the crew to exaggerate the roll when tacking or gybing as long as just after the tack the boat is not faster than it would have been without it.

Tactical terms

Laylines

Imaginary lines showing the closest angle a boat can sail to reach a mark without needing another tack.

Cover

A tactic where a leading boat mirrors a rival's moves to protect their position.

Wind shift

A change in wind direction that can create a tactical advantage for boats positioned correctly.

Pinching

Sailing too close to the wind, which can reduce boat speed even if it seems to shorten the path.

Starting sequence

The countdown to a start: a warning signal 5 minutes before the starting signal, a preparatory signal at 4 minutes, a one-minute signal, and the starting signal. Times are taken from the visual signals, not the sounds.

Equipment and format terms

Spinnaker

A large, balloon shaped sail used for extra speed when sailing with the wind from behind.

Foiling

Sailing with the hull lifted out of the water on underwater wings. The racing rules allow a sail to be pulled in any number of times to start foiling.

One design class

A boat category where all boats are built to identical specifications, so racing depends purely on sailor skill.

Handicap racing

A format in which different boats race together and the finishing places come from corrected times, set by a handicap or rating system. The rules of that system count as class rules.

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